Thursday, March 1, 2012

Parrot embroidery design

It has a large and elaborate monogram in the middle, apparently of Katharine's name, and a small H above and below.*

There was, however, a personage of equally exalted rank with Elizabeth, who is still more famous for her skill at embroidery her rival, Mary Queen of Scots. The number of em- broideries ascribed to this illustrious captive is legion. A glance is sufficient to discredit the attribution in most cases, but, as we shall see later, there is good reason for supposing that some of the needlework still preserved at Hardwick Hall is really by her hand.

Garments, gloves, hangings, curtains, valances, covers, and numerous other things of like nature which have survived from the times of Elizabeth, testify to the skill and industry of the embroiderers at that period. The wardrobe of Elizabeth alone is said to have included three thousand dresses, and many of these were richly embroidered.